In both the US and Canada, there are certification opportunities in a wide range of specialties. Below, you will find information about the major bodies.
- Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) – various specialties
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) – Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and various basic nursing certifications
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
- Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)
- National Certification Corporation (NCC) – Maternal-Child Nurse Practitioners and Specialists
- Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)
- Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) (formerly Certification Board Perioperative Nursing)
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certification Program
- The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
- The Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB)
- American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)
- American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) and American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board (ALNCCB)
- Other Certification Bodies – various specialties
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)
Canada has only one certification body, the CNA. The program was initiated in 1980 and now has more than 13,000 certified nurses. This body offers certification in:
- Cardiovascular Nursing CCN(C)
- Community Health Nursing CCHN(C)
- Critical Care Nursing CNCC(C)
- Critical Care Pediatric Nursing CNCCP(C)
- Emergency Nursing ENC(C)
- Enterostomal Therapy Nursing (new certification; designation TBA)
- Gastroenterology Nursing CGN(C)
- Gerontology Nursing GNC(C)
- Hospice Palliative Care Nursing CHPCN(C)
- Nephrology Nursing CNeph(C)
- Neuroscience Nursing CNN(C)
- Occupational Health Nursing COHN(C)
- Oncology Nursing CON(C)
- Orthopaedic Nursing ONC(C)
- Perinatal Nursing PNC(C)
- Perioperative Nursing CPN(C)
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing CPMHN(C)
- Rehabilitation Nursing CRN(C)
Documents/experience required to write a CNA certification exam – except the Occupational Health and Enterostomal Therapy exams, which are detailed separately below.
- A Canadian RN license.
And ...
- At least 3,900 hours in the specialty acquired over the past five years (verified).
Or ...
- A Canadian RN license.
And ...
- A BScN/BN in nursing, or a post-basic program in the nursing specialty of at least 300 hours, with 1,950 hours in the specialty over the past three years (verified).
Documents/experience required to write the Occupational Health exam:
- A Canadian RN license.
And ...
- At least 5,000 hours of work in the specialty (verified) and 75 hours of continuous learning activities specific to occupational health (verified), both of which must have been acquired over the past five years.
Or ...
- A Canadian RN license.
- A BScN/BN in nursing or a post-basic program in occupational health of at least 300 hours.
And ...
- At least 3,050 hours in the specialty (verified) over the past four years, and 75 hours of continuous learning activities (verified) over the past five years.
Documents/experience required to write the Enterostomal Therapy exam:
- A Canadian RN license.
Those who have completed the 2009 (and beyond) CAET Enterostomal Therapy Nursing Education Program (ETNEP):
- Proof of CAET ETNEP completion.
- At least 1,950 hours in the specialty over the past three years (verified) – including the 225 hours of clinical preceptorship earned during the CAET ETNEP – and 75 hours of continuous learning activities (verified) specific to enterostomal therapy over the past three years before applying for certification. (CL hours during the CAET ETNEP may be counted.)
Or ...
Those who have completed the CAET Enterostomal Therapy Nursing Education Program (ETNEP) before 2009 or another ETNEP recognized by CAET:
- Proof of CAET ETNEP completion prior to 2009 or of completion of an ETNEP recognized by the CAET.
- At least 1,950 hours in the specialty over the past three years (verified), and 75 hours of continuous learning activities (verified) specific to enterostomal therapy over the past three years before applying for certification.
Exams: The scheduled date for 2009 exams is April 4. Applications for a 2009 exam must be postmarked by October 17, 2008.
Exam Fee: C$477.75 to $C728.85. The cost varies according to province/territory of residence, whether the applicant is a CNA member or not, etc.
Recertification: In all cases, the certification is valid for five years. The nurse can recertify by writing the examination, or by submitting a record showing that s/he has completed 100 hours of continuous learning activities in the specialty and has at least 3,900 hours of nursing practice within the specialty during the five-year term.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, was founded in 1973 and administers approximately 40 types of specialty and advanced practice certification examinations each year, with different certifications available based on experience and education. More than a quarter million nurses have been certified by the ANCC since 1990, and more than 75,000 advanced practice nurses are currently certified by the ANCC.
Nurse practitioner certifications include:
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC; is also an alternative eligibility option
- Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC)
- Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
- Diabetes Management, Advanced (BC-ADM)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC; is also an alternative eligibility option)
- Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
- Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP-BC)
Note: The School Nurse Practitioner (SNP-BC) exam has been retired to new applicants, but those with the credential may renew it.
Clinical nurse specialist certifications include:
- Clinical Specialist in Adult Health (formerly Medical-Surgical Nursing) (ACNS-BC)
- Clinical Specialist in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (PMHCNS-BC)
- Clinical Specialist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (PMHCNS-BC)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Core Exam (an examination of core CNS competencies will support future flexibility in the development of new CNS specialty areas as demand is created; the exam launch is scheduled for September 2009)
- Diabetes Management, Advanced (BC-ADM)
- Clinical Specialist in Gerontological Nursing (GCNS-BC)
- Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Nursing (PCNS-BC)
- Advanced Public Health Nurse (formerly Clinical Specialist in Community Health/Public Health Nursing; credential if exam taken before May 2008: PHCNS-BC, and if taken after May 2008: APHN-BC)
Note: The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Home Health Nursing (HHCNS-BC) exam has been retired to new applicants, but those with the credential may renew it.
Other advanced-level exams include:
- Diabetes Management, Advanced – in addition to being an option for nurses, this exam is open to pharmacists (RPh,BC-ADM) and dietitians (RD,BC-ADM).
- Advanced Practice Forensic Nurse (AFN-R, which is Advanced Forensic Nurse-Recognized) – this is a portfolio-recognition program, expected to launch in 2009.
- Nurse Executive, Advanced (formerly Nursing Administration, Advanced; new credential NEA-BC, former credential CNAA-BC).
Documents/experience required to write a nurse practitioner exam:
- Current RN license.
- Master’s degree (or higher) in nursing.
- Formal training in the same role and specialty area to which one is applying (the program must have at least 500 hours of supervised practice), and course work in advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology, and content in health promotion and disease prevention and differential diagnosis and disease management.
- Note: Those seeking Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification, applicants must have clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities.
Documents/experience required to write a CNS exam except Advanced Public Health Nurse:
- Current RN license.
- Formal training in the same role and specialty area to which one is applying (the program must have at least 500 hours of supervised practice), and course work in advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology.
- Note: Those seeking a CNS in Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health or Child/Adolescent Psychiatric & Mental Health also must have clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities.
Documents/experience required to write the Advanced Public Health Nurse exam (credential before May 2008: PHCNS-BC; after May 2008: APHN-BC):
- Option A
- Current RN license.
- Master’s (or higher) from a public/community health clinical nurse specialist program (the program must have at least 500 hours of supervised practice); hours are interpreted broadly to include: population-focused and community-focused hours in a practicum; field work in community-based organizations; project planning related to populations and/or communities; or program development for specific populations or communities.
- Option A
- Current RN license.
- Bachelor’s in nursing (or higher).
- Master’s (or higher) in public health with a specialization in community and/or public health nursing (the program must have at least 500 hours of supervised practice); hours are interpreted broadly to include: population-focused and community-focused hours in a practicum; field work in community-based organizations; project planning related to populations and/or communities; or program development for specific populations or communities..
Documents/experience required to write the Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC) exam:
- Current RN license.
- Master’s degree (or higher) in nursing, or a Bachelor’s in nursing and a Master’s in another field.
- Have held an administrative position at the nurse executive level, or a faculty position teaching graduate students executive level nursing administration, for at least 24 months full time equivalent in the last five years.
- Have a minimum of 30 contact hours of continuing education within the past three years or hold a Master’s degree in nursing administration.
The specialty credential is offered for:
- Ambulatory Care Nurse (RN-BC)
- Cardiac Vascular Nurse (RN-BC)
- Case Management Nurse (RN-BC)
- Gerontological Nurse (RN-BC)
- Informatics Nurse (with Bachelor’s degree in nursing) (RN-BC)
- Medical-Surgical Nurse (RN-BC)
- Nurse Executive (NE-BC)
- Nursing Professional Development (RN-BC)
- Pain Management Nurse (RN-BC)
- Pediatric Nurse (RN-BC)
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse (RN-BC)
Note: The Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse, Community Health Nurse, High-Risk Perinatal Nurse, Home Health Nurse, Maternal-Child Nurse, Perinatal Nurse, and School Nurse exams have been retired to new applicants, but those with the credential may renew it.
Documents/experience required to write the RN-BC exam in the above areas except both Informatics Nurse options and the Nurse Executive option:
- Current RN license.
- Have practiced the equivalent of at least two years full-time as an RN.
- Minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice within relevant specialty within the past three years.
- Minimum of 30 CE contact hours within specialty in the past three years.
Documents/experience required to write the Informatics Nurse exam:
- Current RN license.
- Have practiced the equivalent of two years full-time as an RN.
- Bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing or a Bachelor’s in a relevant field.
- Minimum of 30 CE contact hours within specialty in the past three years.
- One of the following practice hour requirements: a minimum of 2,000 hours in informatics nursing within the last three years; a minimum of 1,000 hours in informatics nursing in the last three years and completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of academic credit in informatics courses which are a part of a graduate level informatics nursing program; completed a graduate program in nursing informatics containing a minimum of 200 hours of faculty supervised practicum in informatics.
Documents/experience required to write the Nurse Executive (NE-BC) exam:
- Current RN license.
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in nursing.
- Have held an administrative position at the nurse executive level, or a faculty position teaching graduate students nursing administration, or a nursing management or executive consultation position, for at least 24 months full time equivalent in the last five years.
- Have a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education in nursing administration within the last three years. This requirement is waived for those with a Master’s in nursing administration.
Exams: Most exams are computer-based, but some are still pencil-and-paper. To see which type an exam is, check the ANCC certification page. Paper-and-pencil exams are scheduled twice per year (in May and October), and are offered in approximately 50 cities in 30 states. The computer-based exams are scheduled regularly by authorized testing agencies.
Exam Fee: For 2009, cost ranges from US$270 to US$390. (Varies according to factors such as whether a nurse is an ANCC member, is eligible for discounts, etc.) Additional fees may be charged for alternate test dates, etc.
Recertification: Certification is for five years. To recertify, a nurse must have a current US nursing license, have met CE requirements for the certification and either have 1,000 hours of nursing practice in the area of certification specialty (unless stated otherwise) or re-take the exam.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
The AACN was established in 1969 and has more than 70,000 certified members. The AACN offers examinations leading to ACNPC (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification)CCNS (Certification for Adult, Neonatal, and Pediatric Acute and Critical Care CNSs), CCRN (Certification for Adult, Pediatric, and Neonatal Critical Care Nurses), and PCCN (Progressive Care Certified Nurse) credentials. Additionally, in 2005, two subspecialty certificates were added: Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) and Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC).
- Hold a current US RN license.
- Complete an advanced graduate degree that meets AACN requirements, which include 500 supervised hours (caring for acutely or critically ill adult patients) in the role of Acute Care Nurse Practitioner within the program.
Exam: Computer-based and offered year-round at testing sites across the US. Exam Fee: US$245 for AACN members and US$345 for others.Recertification: Certification lasts for five years. To renew, candidates must have a current US RN license; have been actively involved in the care of acutely and/or critcally ill patients as an acute care nurse practitioner for a minimum of 2,000 hours over the five-year period, with a minimum of 400 hours completed within the last 12 months of the certification period (experience must be in the USA or any of its territories); successfully pass the ACNPC certification exam or accumulate 150 CE renewal points, with at least 100 in the area of acute care (e.g., acute-care educational programs, professional publications/presentations, and/or precepting or volunteer activities).
CCNS certification is the advanced practice certification program for clinical nurse specialists in adult, pediatric, or neonatal acute and critical care.
Documents/experience required to write the CCNS exam:
- Current US RN license.
- Master’s degree, with a concentration as an acute/critical care clinical nurse specialist. (See specific details of what is acceptable on the CCNS information page.)
- Demonstrated expertise via one of: basic or advanced certification in nursing; publication demonstrating expert knowledge in the applicant’s clinical field; making a presentation at local, regional, or national conference on a clinical nursing topic in the applicant’s clinical field; participation in a clinical research in the applicant’s clinical field.
Exam: Computer-based and offered year-round at testing sites across the US.Exam Fee: CCNS exam is US$245 for AACN members and US$345 for others.Recertification: Certification lasts for four years. To renew, candidates must have a current US RN license and have active involvement in the care of acutely ill or critically ill patients (a minimum of 2,000 hours within the past four years, of which at least 400 must be in the last 12 months). Also, candidates must either complete CE requirements (60 Category A CEs, with at least 15 CEs within the Acute and Critical Care Educational Program area) or pass the CCNS exam again.
Documents/experience required to write the CCRN exam:
- Current US RN license.
- 1,750 hours in direct bedside nursing of the critically ill (adult, neonatal, or pediatric) patient within the past two years; 875 of those hours must have been accrued in the most recent year of nursing. (Note: Clinical practice hours accrued in an undergraduate student role are not acceptable. Nurses serving as manager, educator (inservice or academic), CNS, or preceptor may now apply their hours spent supervising nursing students or nurses at the bedside. Also, eligible clinical practice must be completed in US-based or Canada-based facilities or in facilities determined to be comparable to the US standard of acute/critical care nursing practice, as evidenced by ANCC Magnet Status or Joint Commission International accreditation.)
Exam: Computer-based and offered year-round at testing sites across the US.Exam Fee: US$220 for AACN members and US$325 for others.Recertification: Certification lasts for three years, and certification can be renewed by CERPs (Continuing Education Renewal Points) or by passing the CCRN exam again.
Documents/experience required to write the PCCN exam:
- Current US RN license.
- 1,750 hours in direct bedside nursing of the acutely ill patient within the past two years; 875 of those hours must have been accrued in the most recent year of nursing. (Note: Clinical practice hours accrued in an undergraduate student role are not acceptable. Nurses serving as manager, educator (inservice or academic), CNS, or preceptor may now apply their hours spent supervising nursing students or nurses at the bedside. Also, eligible clinical practice must be completed in US-based or Canada-based facilities or in facilities determined to be comparable to the US standard of acute/critical care nursing practice, as evidenced by ANCC Magnet Status or Joint Commission International accreditation.)
Exam: Computer-based and offered year-round at testing sites across the US.Exam Fee: US$170 for AACN members and US$250 for others.Recertification: Certification lasts for three years, and certification can be renewed by CERPs (Continuing Education Renewal Points) or by writing the PCCN exam again.
Documents/experience required to write the CMC or CSC exam:
- Current US RN license.
- Current nationally accredited clinical nursing specialty certification (e.g., CCRN, CCNS, PCCN, CEN, ACNP, FNP, CPAN, CRNA, CNOR, CRNFA, APRN-BC).
- 1,750 hours in direct bedside nursing of the acutely ill patient within the past two years; 875 of those hours must have been in the care of acutely/critically ill cardiac patients (CMC) or cardiac surgery patients within the first 48 hours post-op (CSC).
Exam: Computer-based and offered year-round at testing sites across the US.Exam Fee: US$135 for AACN members and US$180 for others.Recertification: Certification lasts for three years. To renew, candidates must have a current US RN license; have current nationally-accredited clinical nursing specialty certification (e.g., CCRN, CCNS, PCCN, CEN, ACNP, FNP, CPAN, CRNA, CNOR, CRNFA, APRN-BC); complete 25 CERPs (pertaining to cardiology or cardiac surgery, depending on the subspecialty); complete 432 practice hours (for CMC, in the care of acutely/critically ill cardiac patients; and for CSC, in care of cardiac surgery patients within the first 48 hours post-op) within the last 3 years preceding date of application, of which 144 must be accrued in the most recent year preceding application.
